Improvement in stocking-supporters



V I. ARMSTRG, Stocking Supporter.

No. 202,394. Patented April-16,1878.

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NPETERS, PHDTO-LJTHOGRAPHEFL WASHSNGTON D C,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK ARMSTRONG, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN STOCKING-SUPPORTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 202,394, dated April 16, 1878 application filed February 13, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK ARMSTRONG, of Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stocking- Supporters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in that class of stockingsupporters in which the straps directly attached to the top of the stocking are connected to the waistband or hip of the wearer by an intermediate elastic webbing.

It has for its object to overcome all the disadvantages incident to this class of supporters; and consists of a supporter embodying in its organization a suitable waistband and diverging stocking-grasping loops, with an intermediate elastic supporting-strap, composed of one -or more stands of spring coiled wire, pro

vided at either end with suitable hooks or clasps for securing it in position, substantially as will be hereinafter explained.

In the drawing, Figure 1 represents, in partial perspective, oneof my improved stocking-supporters in position upon the wearer; and Figs. 2, 3, and 4, detail views of an improved clasp designed for use with my improved supporter, but which, being of general application, forms the subject of another application for Letters Patent, which I am about to make.

In the drawing, A is the waistband, and D is the vertical elastic metallic strap, formed with a hook, E, at one end, to secure the same to the waistband, and with a clasp, B, at the other, to grasp a flexible strap, F, adjustably, which strap is secured to the meeting ends of two loops, G G, the extremities of which are provided with my improved clasps B for grasping the stocking-top.

The loops G G may, as shown, be secured to the strap F, or directly to the clasp of the spring-strap D, and said strap may be secured, as shown, to the waistband or to the hip of any garment of the wearer.

Previous to my invention various styles and forms of garters and supporters have been made, the most desirable, however, especially for childrens wear, being those which grasp the top of the stocking and are supported from the hip. They have been composed generally of two diverging loops, having clasps at their ends to grasp the top of the stocking, and connected at their meeting ends to a vertical strap composed of some sort of elastic Woven fabric. The serious disadvantages attending the use of this class of supporters are due to the fact that the vertical elastic strap is caused to vibrate by the act of Walking, and such vibration causes a chafing of the leg of the wearer, and especially so in warm weather, when the nature of the fabric composing the strap excluding the air induces perspiration; another disadvantage being the absorption of moisture by the fabric, which not only seriously affects its elastic properties, but also induces its becoming llllOlvELll.

My invention overcomes all these disadvantages, and is very healthful and durable. The metal spring-connection is not only more efficacious in its elastic properties by reason of the sensitiveness of the springs, but there is no absorption of moisture, a perfect ventilation, and, by reason of the form of the springs,

no abrasion or chafing of the skin ensues from the contact and vibration which necessarily exists when the Wearers legs are in motion. The elastic properties of the spring-band are not impaired by moisture, and under all conditions it is more durable than the Woven fabric.

I do not wish to be understood as claiming,

broadly, a spring metallic band with loops or hooks at either end, as that has already been secured to me by Letters Patent; but

lVhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

An improved stocking-supporter embodying in its organization a suitable waistband or equivalent, and spreading or diverging loops for securing the top of the stocking, connected by an intermediate spring-band, composed of one or more stands of coiled wire, provided at either end with fastening or securing hooks or loops, substantially as set forth.

FRANK ARMSTRONG.

In presence of- JOHN H. VINTON, THEODORE OOURTRIGHT. 

